August 13: 11th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 14)
Job 38:4-18 (Where were you when I laid out the foundations of the earth?!)
(ELW, 1 Kings 19:9-18, Elijah encounters God as still small voice)
Psalm 18:1-16 (“His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm!”)
(ELW, Psalm 85:8-13, God will speak peace to his people;
righteousness and peace have kissed)
Romans 10:5-17 (Righteousness of faith comes through hearing the Gospel preached)
Matthew 14:22-33 (Jesus and Peter take a watery walk on the sea)
Let us pray for the church, the world, and all people according to their need.
A brief silence is kept.
Holy Father, we bow in adoration before your majesty. We stand in awe of your wisdom, power, and goodness. And we thank you for your strong saving love, made real for us in your dear Son. Send us your Spirit, so we boldly obey his commands and humbly crave his mercy.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Send your Church into every corner of the world to preach the Gospel of salvation through Christ alone. By your Spirit, give it humility, faith, and courage to proclaim your holy Word with faithful clarity and winsome charity.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Give such endurance and faith to all who are persecuted for being Christians, that even their tormentors might repent, call upon your name, and be saved.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Protect this congregation from storms of contention, controversy, and confusion. Shelter us, and help us trust you. Help us to say in word and deed, “I love you, O Lord my strength, O Lord my stronghold, my crag, and my haven. My God, my rock in whom I put my trust, my shield, the horn of my salvation, and my refuge; you are worthy of praise!”
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Look kindly upon those who are overwhelmed by winds and waves of grief and suffering. We know they sometimes feel abandoned by others – and even by you. Help us to encourage, strengthen, and aid them. Help us to take their hand and walk with them across their stormy seas, towards the nail-scarred hands of Jesus, who alone can lift them up and save them.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Shield us from natural disasters and from human malice and stupidity. Come down, O Lord, on the wings of wind. Scatter our enemies and deliver us from our anguish! Speak your word of peace upon the troubled earth and every human heart; and reign undisturbed as King and Lord of all.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Clothe with righteousness and wisdom all your servants who risk their lives in defense of life and liberty. Be their stronghold, shield, and refuge. Make them models of justice, integrity, and service.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Many people can say with the Psalmist, “The breakers of death rolled over me, and the torrents of oblivion made me afraid.” We lift them before you – including: {List}. Save them from everything that threatens to undo them. Lead them to a place of shelter, healing, and hope. Bless everyone who cares for them in any way.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Thank you, dear Father, for your servants who now rest from their earthly labors – especially those whose death touches us most closely. Give to us, who still sail life’s stormy seas, faith to call upon you in confidence and hope. Give us love to encourage and help our neighbor in distress. And give us hope, that clinging to your Son for dear life, we come safely into your embrace. Grant that we, with all whom you have redeemed, may sing with joy and worship you forever.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Hear our prayer, O Father, and grant all that glorifies you and builds up your people. This we ask for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
